Players competing in this year’s Kashif and Shanghai Football Tournament will have an additional incentive to find the back of the net after long-time supporter Monty Lewis pledged $500,000 to the competition’s leading goalscorer.

The individual award adds to the excitement surrounding the return of the tournament to Linden, where 16 teams will compete for a share of an $8 million prize purse from December 13, 2026, to January 1, 2027.

Lewis made the contribution during a simple ceremony attended by tournament co-founders Kashif Muhammad and Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major.

A longstanding supporter of the competition, Lewis congratulated the organisers on their decision to return the tournament to its original home in Linden. He also encouraged other individuals and businesses to support the event as preparations continue for its highly anticipated return.

Muhammad and Major expressed their appreciation for Lewis’ continued commitment, noting that the $500,000 incentive would encourage players to deliver strong performances throughout the competition.

The tournament, which will feature some of Guyana’s leading First Division football clubs, will be staged exclusively in Linden, with matches scheduled for the redesigned Mackenzie Sports Club Ground and the Bayroc National Stadium.

The action will begin on December 13 at Mackenzie Sports Club, the venue where the tournament was first held in 1992. The ground will also host matches on December 20, 25 and 29.

Bayroc National Stadium will stage matches on December 18, 22 and 26 before hosting the grand final on January 1, 2027.

The tournament’s return to Linden was officially announced during its launch last weekend under the theme, “Destination Linden, Football Means Business.”

Beyond the competition on the field, organisers and government officials are anticipating significant economic benefits for the mining town.

The influx of players, officials, supporters and visitors is expected to generate additional business for hotels, Airbnb operators, restaurants, transportation providers, vendors and other service providers throughout the tournament.

With the competition returning to its roots after more than three decades since its inaugural staging, organisers are hoping to deliver an event that combines competitive football with increased commercial activity in Linden.

Meanwhile, the participating teams, fixtures, tournament draw and the breakdown of the $8 million prize purse will be officially unveiled on Saturday, October 10, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.